The 2014 Sochi Opening Ceremony again proves why we love the Olympics

The over-the top spectacle of the opening ceremony took place in Sochi at 9 a.m. Friday MT (The U.S. broadcast is tape delayed until 6:30 p.m. MT Friday.) It had a lot to live up to, what with its predecessor — the epic opening ceremony weirdness of the 2012 London Summer Olympics — being the stuff of legend.

40 years of late-20th-century Russian history was told in symbols, song and dance. (Photo by Jason Blevins, The Denver Post)

Sochi 2014 did not disappoint: St. Basil’s Cathedral brought to life, War and Peace told in ballet form, incredible costumes, epic music and gorgeous light shows. There were also neon jellyfish dancers, a Patronus straight out of Harry Potter, and creepy human-sized mascots. (The only thing that would have improved it, imho, would be if it were crashed by Pussy Riot. Alas.)

Twitter was the ultimate place to watch international reactions unfold Friday morning. We’ve gathered the very best below. It all goes to prove that the Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremony was everything we’ve come to expect from the Olympics, and more.

Meyer will be covering his 12th Olympic Games in Rio this summer. He has covered five World Alpine Ski Championships and more than 100 World Cup ski events. He is a member of the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame.

Jason Blevins covers tourism, mountain business, skiing and outdoor adventure sports for both the business and sports sections at The Denver Post, which he joined in 1997. He skis, pedals, paddles and occasionally boogies in the hills.

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About All Things Olympics

The All Things Olympics blog from The Denver Post covers the athletes, events and stories of the Olympic Games and Olympic sports, including the 2014 Sochi Olympics in Russia. Its writers — John Meyer, Jason Blevins and Mark Kiszla — will feature profiles, articles, analysis and personal reflection.